In a world dominated by streaming, it’s easy to forget the simple, tactile pleasure of physical media. I remember a time when my shelves were a proud library of DVDs and, later, Blu-rays, each spine representing a cinematic journey. But as streaming services took over, my trusty old player was relegated to the back of the media cabinet, eventually giving up the ghost. Recently, while doing some spring cleaning, I rediscovered my extensive collection of concert Blu-rays and classic films not available on any streaming platform. Suddenly, the need for a reliable, yet affordable, disc player became urgent. The problem? Modern players can be surprisingly expensive, loaded with features I don’t need, while older, used models are a risky proposition. This is the exact dilemma that leads many of us to consider a middle ground: a professionally refurbished unit that promises modern features without the brand-new price tag.
- Full HD 1080p Playback via HDMI - This Blu-ray player supports full HD 1080p Blu-ray disc playback from its HDMI output
- Built-In Wi-Fi - With built-in Wi-Fi, you can access all your Smart Blu-ray features and apps wirelessly. Sync and stream content to other devices as well,...
What to Consider Before Buying a Blu-ray Player
A Blu-ray Player is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking the highest fidelity audio and video from your physical media collection. Unlike compressed streaming content, a Blu-ray disc offers uncompressed picture and sound, delivering the movie exactly as the director intended. It’s the bridge between your curated library of films, concerts, and TV shows and your high-definition television. The main benefit is quality and ownership. You are not at the mercy of a service removing your favorite movie, and you’re guaranteed the best possible viewing experience your 1080p or 4K TV can provide. For those with a cherished collection of DVDs, features like HD upconversion can breathe new life into standard-definition content, making it look sharper and clearer on modern screens.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with an existing disc library who values high-quality playback but is also budget-conscious. This includes movie collectors, audiophiles who appreciate formats like DTS and Dolby Digital, or families looking for a simple device for a secondary room or a child’s bedroom. Conversely, this might not be the right choice for someone who has fully embraced a digital-only lifestyle and has no physical media. It’s also not ideal for home theater purists who demand native 4K UHD playback and the latest HDR formats, as they would be better served by a dedicated 4K UHD player. For those who only need streaming, a dedicated streaming stick or box offers a much better user experience with a wider selection of apps.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Blu-ray players have become remarkably compact. The Samsung BD-J5700 model, for instance, measures a slim 10.6 x 7.6 x 1.6 inches. Always measure your available shelf space in your media center, ensuring there’s enough room around the unit for proper ventilation to prevent overheating during long movie marathons.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance isn’t about storage but about playback capability. Key features to look for are 1080p Full HD resolution for Blu-rays and effective DVD upscaling. Additionally, consider connectivity; built-in Wi-Fi is essential for firmware updates and accessing smart features, while an HDMI port is the standard for modern TVs. Loading speed can also be a factor, as older players often struggled with newer, more complex Blu-ray discs.
- Materials & Durability: Most modern Blu-ray players are housed in plastic casings to keep costs down. While generally durable for stationary home use, the real question of durability with a renewed product lies with the internal components. The laser, loading tray mechanism, and mainboard are the most critical parts. A renewed certification should mean these have been tested, but the risk of premature failure is inherently higher than with a new unit.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good player should be plug-and-play. Look for an intuitive on-screen menu for initial setup, especially for connecting to Wi-Fi. Long-term care is minimal; simply keep the player free of dust and occasionally use a laser lens cleaner disc if you notice playback issues. The remote control’s layout and responsiveness also play a significant role in the day-to-day user experience.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
Our Ultimate Guide to the Best Region-Free Blu-Ray Players for Global Movie Collections
- Enjoy Blu-ray Disc movies in Full HD as well as DVD discs
- Compact Size: Space-saving design allows this Blu Ray DVD player for tv to fit neatly in narrow spaces and on thin racks. Dimensions: Approx. 9 5/8" W x 1...
- See the unrivalled visual clarity of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
First Impressions and Unboxing the Renewed Experience
The arrival of a “renewed” product is always met with a mix of anticipation and slight apprehension. The Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p arrived not in a flashy retail box, but in a standard, unassuming cardboard box. Inside, the player was securely nestled in bubble wrap, accompanied by a remote, batteries, and the promised CubeCable 6-foot HDMI cable—a nice touch that means you have everything needed to get started right away. The player itself, a Samsung BD-J5700/ZA model, is incredibly lightweight and compact with a simple, black finish. Our unit was in excellent cosmetic condition, with no noticeable scratches or scuffs. However, the first thing we noticed—a quirk confirmed by other users—is the stark minimalism. There is no front-panel display to show playback time, and more surprisingly, no power indicator light whatsoever. This design choice feels odd, leaving you to rely solely on your TV screen to know if the unit is on or off.
Key Benefits
- Excellent 1080p Blu-ray and upscaled DVD picture quality
- Simple, menu-driven setup with reliable Wi-Fi connectivity
- Compact and lightweight design fits in any media center
- Includes a high-speed HDMI cable for immediate use
Potential Drawbacks
- Inconsistent quality control inherent to renewed products
- No power indicator light or front-panel display
- Limited and outdated smart app selection
A Deep Dive into the Samsung Player’s Performance
A Blu-ray player has one primary job: to play discs flawlessly. Beyond that, modern expectations add smart features and ease of use to the list. We put the Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p through its paces to see how this budget-friendly, refurbished unit holds up under scrutiny, especially considering the potential pitfalls of its “renewed” status.
Image and Sound Quality: The Core Functionality
First and foremost, let’s talk about playback. We started with a visually complex Blu-ray, and the player delivered a crisp, vibrant 1080p picture. Colors were accurate, motion was smooth, and the level of detail was precisely what you’d expect from the Blu-ray format. It faithfully transmitted the high-bitrate video to our test television via HDMI without any artifacts, stuttering, or handshake issues. For its primary function, it performs admirably. Where we were pleasantly surprised was its DVD upconversion. We tested it with several standard-definition DVDs from the early 2000s. The player’s upscaling technology did a commendable job of enhancing the image for a 1080p display. While it can’t perform miracles—a 480p source will never look like true HD—it sharpened edges, reduced blockiness, and made older content much more watchable on a modern screen. This is a huge plus for anyone with a large legacy DVD collection.
On the audio front, the player supports Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound. When connected to our 5.1 channel receiver, it passed through the audio signals perfectly, creating an immersive soundscape for action movies and concerts alike. Dialogue was clear, and dynamic range was excellent. From a pure performance perspective on physical media, the hardware inside this little box does exactly what it’s supposed to do, providing a high-quality audio-visual experience that is a clear step up from compressed streaming. The fact that it achieves this level of playback quality makes its renewed price point incredibly attractive.
The “Renewed” Experience: A Quality Control Lottery
This is the most critical aspect of this specific product. Buying renewed is a calculated risk. While our test unit arrived in great physical and working condition, a survey of user experiences reveals a significant lack of consistency. This is the gamble you take to save money. We encountered numerous reports of units arriving dead on arrival, refusing to power on, or getting stuck in a setup loop. One user received a unit with a physically broken power button, while another found the disc tray stuck open right out of the box. These are not minor blemishes; they are critical failures that render the product useless and necessitate an immediate return.
Even more concerning are the reports of units arriving with the previous owner’s account information still logged into streaming apps. This is a major privacy and security lapse and points to a superficial refurbishment process in some cases. It’s one thing to receive a device with a cosmetic scratch; it’s another entirely to find someone else’s personal data on it. The included 90-day warranty provides a safety net, but the hassle of diagnosing a problem, repackaging the item, and managing a return is a significant consideration. The “renewed” promise is that a product is inspected, tested, and restored to full working order. The evidence suggests that the quality of this process can vary wildly, turning a great deal into a frustrating paperweight. This player is not for someone who needs a guaranteed working unit for a gift or an urgent replacement.
Connectivity and Smart Features: Functional but Dated
One of the main selling points of the Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p is its built-in Wi-Fi. During our setup, connecting to our wireless network was straightforward and painless, managed through a simple on-screen menu. The connection remained stable throughout our testing, which is crucial for both streaming and firmware updates. However, the “Smart” aspect of this player feels like a time capsule from a bygone era of smart TVs. The app selection is extremely limited. You’ll find staples like Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu, but the app store (Vewd) is a ghost town of niche or defunct services. Don’t expect to find modern essentials like Disney+, Spotify, or even YouTube.
This limitation is critical. If your goal is to consolidate devices and have your Blu-ray player also serve as your primary streaming hub, this is not the device for you. A dedicated Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast offers a vastly superior experience with a comprehensive app library and a modern interface. Furthermore, some users have reported a recurring software bug where the player gets stuck on a “system is updating” message, completely locking them out of the app ecosystem. This suggests the software is no longer being actively supported or updated by the manufacturer, leaving users with a feature that is, at best, limited and, at worst, completely broken. The Wi-Fi is best viewed as a utility for firmware updates and a backup for a few core streaming services, not as a robust media center.
Design and Usability: Minimalist to a Fault
The player’s physical design is compact and unobtrusive, which we appreciate. It’s small enough to fit into just about any entertainment center without drawing attention to itself. The front panel is clean, with just a few physical buttons for basic functions like power, eject, play, and stop. However, this minimalism is taken to an extreme that actively hinders usability. As mentioned, there is no power indicator light. It is genuinely impossible to tell if the player is on or off just by looking at it. More than a minor annoyance, this can lead to confusion, especially if you’re trying to troubleshoot an issue or if the player fails to turn on your TV automatically via HDMI-CEC.
The lack of a front-panel display also means you have no at-a-glance information about playback, such as the current chapter or runtime. All of this information is available on-screen with the press of a button on the remote, but it’s a regression from the standard features we’ve come to expect on disc players for decades. The remote itself is functional but feels a bit flimsy. The user interface on the TV is basic and a bit sluggish compared to modern devices, but it’s logically laid out and easy enough to navigate. These design choices were clearly made to cut costs, but the absence of a simple LED light feels like a step too far, impacting the everyday experience more than one might think.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are strongly echoed by the wider community of users who have purchased this player. The sentiment is sharply divided, reinforcing the “gamble” narrative. On the positive side, many users, like one who was replacing a six-year-old player, report that it “works as promised, from box” and found the menu-driven Wi-Fi setup to be fast and easy. These satisfied customers received a fully functional unit and consider it a great value for a simple, no-frills disc player.
However, the negative feedback is significant and points directly to the risks of the renewed model. Numerous reports detail receiving units that were non-functional, like the user who stated it became a “$70 paperweight” that would turn off as soon as any button was pressed. Physical damage is also a recurring theme, with reports of smashed corners and broken buttons on units that were clearly not properly inspected before being shipped. The most alarming feedback, which we highlighted in our own analysis, comes from a user who found a previous owner’s personal information “pre-loaded to the blu ray player,” a serious failure in the refurbishment process. These experiences paint a clear picture: when it works, it’s a bargain; when it doesn’t, it’s a significant frustration.
Top Alternatives to the Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p
While the renewed Samsung player offers compelling value, its potential for issues may lead you to consider other options. Depending on your budget and feature priorities, there are several strong competitors in the market.
1. Sony BDP-S6700 4K Upscaling Blu-Ray Player
- Bring the theater home: Get the best seat in the house while enjoying movies and content from the comfort of your family room
- Playback of HD Blu-ray discs and DVDs
For those who want a more feature-rich experience from a brand-new device, the Sony BDP-S6700 is an excellent step up. Its standout feature is 4K upscaling, which can make your existing 1080p Blu-rays look even better on a 4K television. It also boasts a more robust and modern suite of built-in streaming apps, offering a much better experience than the dated Samsung interface. With stronger Wi-Fi performance and the reliability of a new product, this Sony player is the ideal choice for users with a 4K TV who want a performance boost and a more capable smart hub without jumping to the price of a native 4K UHD player.
2. Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p
- Play Blu-ray Discs, DVDs & CDs
- Built-in Wi-Fi for Internet Connectivity - With built-in Wi-Fi, no additional cables or wires are needed to connect to your wireless home network
If you like the features and simplicity of the Samsung BD-J5700 model but are wary of the renewed lottery, the most logical alternative is to buy the same model brand new. For a modest increase in price, you get the peace of mind that comes with a factory-sealed product and a full manufacturer’s warranty. You eliminate the risk of receiving a damaged, faulty, or improperly wiped unit. This is the perfect choice for someone who has decided the Samsung player’s feature set is exactly what they need but prefers to avoid the potential hassle and risk associated with refurbished electronics.
3. Sony UBP-X800M2 4K UHD Blu-Ray Player
- Bring the theater home: See the unrivaled visual clarity and detail of 4K UHD Blu-ray while watching your favorite content from the comfort of home
- Smart Functionality: With fast, stable built-in Wi-Fi, you can wirelessly access your favorite streaming apps and services including Netflix, YouTube,...
For the serious home theater enthusiast, neither of the previous options will suffice. The Sony UBP-X800M2 is a true 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player, designed to deliver the absolute best picture and sound quality. It supports advanced formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, which are essential for getting the most out of a premium 4K HDR TV and surround sound system. Its build quality is also significantly more robust. While it represents a substantial price jump, this player is the right choice for cinephiles who demand native 4K playback and uncompromising audio-visual performance for their high-end entertainment setup.
The Final Verdict: Should You Take the Risk?
The Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p is a product of stark contrasts. On one hand, it offers excellent 1080p Blu-ray and DVD playback, simple Wi-Fi connectivity, and a compact design at a very low price. If you receive a good unit, it represents one of the best values available for bringing a physical media collection back to life. On the other hand, the “renewed” aspect introduces a significant and undeniable risk. The user feedback is rife with examples of poor quality control, from units that are dead on arrival to serious privacy concerns with improperly wiped devices.
Ultimately, we can only recommend this player to a specific type of buyer: the patient bargain-hunter who is willing to potentially navigate the return process in exchange for a deep discount. If you need a player that is guaranteed to work out of the box for a gift or an immediate need, you should absolutely spend a little more for a new unit. But if you’re comfortable with the gamble, you might just be rewarded with a perfectly functional player for a fraction of the cost.
If you’ve decided the Amazon Renewed Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Wi-Fi 1080p is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API